Ronald A. Franz- when he is introduced to us in the book, he is writing a letter to Krakauer asking him if he could have a copy of the magazine that featured the article about Chris. In the letter to Krakauer, he says that he knew Chris, and that he had driven him from Salton City Calif... in March 1992 to Grand Junction Co. Along the way they took pictures with Chris' camera and Ronald's camcorder, documenting the travel. He droped Chris off and left him to hitch-hike his way to SD. He was able to maintain contact with Chris via letters. In the main letter Chris wrote Ron, (pages 56 to 58), he tells Ron he's been working in Carthage, and that he doesnt plan on staying in Carthage much longer. He's enjoying helping his friend Wayne, but he has his soul set on the Alaskan Odyssey. He told Ron that he wanted to be on his way no later than April 15th. Chris thanks Ron for all his help and asks him to sell all of his posessions and join him in the wild, and if he doesnt want to join Chis, he should abandon Salton City, and hit the road to see some of the great works God had created. Chris truly effected this man because he took Chris' advice and at Eighty-one years old, he sold all of his furneture and other poseesions, bought camping gear, and moved into Chris' old campsige just past the hot springs in the desert. There he waited for Chris' return, but he never did. He met an elder indian man, and began to tell the story to him about his friend Alex, (Chis) and then the native american tells him that the story of Alex was in the Outdoor magazine. He said that when Alex left for Alaska, he prayed for him to be safe. the Death of Alex (Chris) really effected him. Ron left his church, and after droping off some hitchikers, he went and bought a bottle of wiskey, went out into the desert, and drank the whole thing. Ron was hoping it would kill him, it just made him really really sick.
Jan Burres- Although we dont hear from Jan a whole lot in this section of the book, there are still letters from chris to her inserted in chapter 6. they are about how he was in San Diego for a while then how he wanted to leave for Alaske no later than May 1st. He told her not to worry aobut him and that he would be fine. In another letter to her, Chris is writing from Seattle. He tells Jan that he's a hobo now, and how he was in a small scuffle with a "bull" who kicked him off of the train. he tells her that no less than five minuets later he caught the same train. Chris tells Jan that he will keep in touch. Chris looks at Jan as a motherly figure, and that is why i believe he keeps in such good contact with her. I think she is one of the only people who have an impact on Chirs, as well as having been effected by Chris herself. She looks on Chris as if Chris was her son.
Jan Burres- Although we dont hear from Jan a whole lot in this section of the book, there are still letters from chris to her inserted in chapter 6. they are about how he was in San Diego for a while then how he wanted to leave for Alaske no later than May 1st. He told her not to worry aobut him and that he would be fine. In another letter to her, Chris is writing from Seattle. He tells Jan that he's a hobo now, and how he was in a small scuffle with a "bull" who kicked him off of the train. he tells her that no less than five minuets later he caught the same train. Chris tells Jan that he will keep in touch. Chris looks at Jan as a motherly figure, and that is why i believe he keeps in such good contact with her. I think she is one of the only people who have an impact on Chirs, as well as having been effected by Chris herself. She looks on Chris as if Chris was her son.
Wayne Westerberg-